Dispenser



March 31, 1942.

F. L. BRQEREN ETAL DISPENSER Filed July 5, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS f'rarz [1. 73i'0 1'6/z and Samaez NH0 a.

ATTORNEY.

March 31, 1942. F. L. BROEREN ET AL 2,277,815 DISPENSER Filed July 5, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS 4 Fa L. Erverew awd' Jamel fV. H0 6.

ATTORNEY March 31, 194 F.IL. B-ROEREN ET AL DISPENSER 4 sheets-sheets Filed July 5, 1939 1.3 LII 1 maeZ A. H0

ATTORNEY.

BYv

F. L. BROEREN ETAL 2,277,815

March 31, 1942.,

DISPENSER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 9 3 9 l 5 y l H J d e l i F .EDIIHII'IIIIA Patented Mar. 31, 1942 DISPENSER I Frank L. Broeren. Neenah, and Samuel N. Hope,

Wauwatosa, Wis.,

assignors to Marathon Paper Mills Company, Rothschild, Wis a corporation of Wisconsin Application July 5, 1939, Serial No. 282,852

12 Claims.

This invention relates to a dispenser and more particularly to a device for dispensing folded paper napkins and the like.

It is an object of this invention to provide a dispenser of the drawer type which may be utilized in any desirable form of cabinet.

It is another object of this invention to provide a dispenser especially adapted for use in cafeterias and lunch-rooms oi the self-service type where the patron secures a napkin and silverware himself.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser for napkins which is of the drawer type whereby it may be installed in a cabinet and withdrawn for filling, but is secured against withdrawal during ordinary periods of use.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a dispenser for-folded napkins wherein the container for the folded napkins may be bodily removed from the cabinet by releasing a normally concealed latch or look.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel spring construction for urging the pusher plate forward within the dispenser for properly locating the stack of napkins in position for dispensing purposes.

Further objects of the invention will appear from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings showing an illustrative embodiment of the invention and wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the cabinet containing the individual dispenser units.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on lines 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view, partially in section, of one of the dispenser units.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on lines 4-4 of Figure 1.v

Figure 5 is a fragmental sectional side-view of the cabinet showing one of the dispensers in withdrawn position from the cabinet.

Figure 6 is a fragmental sectional plan view of the cabinet showing two dispenser units.

Figure 6A is a fragmental perspective view of the bottom of the dispenser unit.

Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on lines 1-! of Figure 6 showing the latch mechanism.

Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken on lines 8-8 of Figure 6. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on lines 88 of Figure 8.

rear end of the dispenser in the cabinet showing the latch mechanism.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the pusher plate and carriage. a

Figure 12 is a fr'agmentai perspective view of the cabinet construction.

As preferred embodiment of our invention, we have illustrated a dispenser in the form of a drawer type structure designed to be used with a box-like cabinet It or the like, which cabinet is provided with an opening in its front face to permit the disposal of the individual dispenser units Ii. The casing or cabinet l0 may be constructed of metal and of any suitable dimensions in order to receive a plurality of drawer type containers of dispenser units Ii as desired, five being shown in Figure 1. The cabinet is preferably so constructed that the top thereof may be used as counter space in cafeterias and restaurants and the like. The cabinet may be placed. if

desired, under the table or counter-top so that the folded napkins contained therein may be readily available to patrons.

Each of the dispenser units I I is constructed preferably of the same dimensions and design as shown in Figure 3. Each dispenser is provided with a face plate in adapted for presenting a folded napkin 5 contained within the dispenser. The napkins are provided with suitable grasping tabs or portions It as shown in Figure 1 in order to permit grasping of the outermost napkin presented within each of the dispensers for grasping by patrons in restaurants. As the foremost napkin is removed, means are provided for pushing forward the stack of napkins within the dispenser so as to present the next foremost napkin in proper dispensing condition. Each sists of side walls i5 and I8 anda rear wall ii.

The bottom of the dispenser is formed by plate 28, having bent up portions 28a spot welded to the side walls l5 and 16 The upper portions of 28a are bent inwardly within the dispenser at an angle to the side walls l5 and I6 to form supports I8 and I8 for the lower portions of the triangularly shaped napkins placed within the dispenser. Angle bars l8 and is are positioned below the off-set portion 28 I of walls I5 and I8 as shown in Figure 2 in order Figure 10 is a fragmental sectional view of the 66 to provide a channel for receiving guide bars 25 integral with the carriage 28 to which is aflixed pusher plate 21.

The slidable carriage 26 is adapted to move within the dispenser and is urged forwardly by a coiled spring I: having an opening is there- I of the dispensers 'conas shown in Figure 2."

30. Spring is made of any suitable spring is riveted to the jacent the face plate l2 of same by means of a rivet 32 as shown in Figure 4. The free end 33 of the spring is coiled upon itself as shown in.

Figure 4 and the coil presses upon the rounded lower portion 35 of the pus'her plate 21 as shown in Figure 4.

The coiled end of the spring is disconnected from the pusher plate although in contact therewith'and it is free to wind and unwind upon itself as the pusher plate travels within the dispenser whereby a constant and uniform pressure is exerted upon the pusher plate at all positions it may assume within the dispenser.

Freely coiled spring 30 thus exerts a constant and uniform pressure upon pusher plate 21 wherever it may be located withinthe dispenser, whether in the rearmost position as in the position of dispenser unit B in Figure 6 or in its foremost position adjacent the face plate l2 as in the position of dispenser unit A in Figure 6. In view of the fact that the end 33 of the coil spring 30 is free, it will automatically coil itself up to adjust itself to any position which it may be necessary for it to assume within the dispenser. The pressure therefore exerted at any point in which pusher plate may be located within the dispenser, depending upon the thickness of the stack of napkins within the dispenser, will be constant and uniform at all positions.

The slidable carriage 26 is provided with a plate 4| as shown in Figure 11 integrally affixed thereto such as by welding. Latch 40 is provided with a catch portion 43 which is adapted to project through a keeper opening 44 in the rear wall ll of the dispenser when the carriage is retracted in its rearmost position as shown in the position of dispenser unit B in Figure 6, and also in Figures 4 and 10. When the carriage is in its rearmost locked position a supply of napkins may be placed within the dispenser without any difflculty being experienced as a result of the pressure of the coil spring 30 which is now inactivated.

When a supply of napkins is exhausted in any one of the dispenser units the individual unit is withdrawn from the cabinet in the position shown by unit A in Figure 6. The pusher plate 21. attached to carriage 26 is then retracted to a position adjacent the rear wall ll of the dispenser so as to lock same in position by means of latch 40. After the stack of napkins has been placed within the dispenser the dispenser is then pushed within the cabinet into the position shown by unit B in Figure 6. When this occurs the tip 45 of latch 40 will strike against a plate 50 provided within the. cabinet as shown in Figures 4 and 10. The catch portion 43 will then be released from looking engagement within the keeper opening 44 of the rear wall I! of the dispenser and the coil spring 30 will then exert its normal pressure against pusher plate 21, whereby a constant and uniform pressure will be exerted against the rear of the stack of napkins within the dispenser in order to place the stack in proper position for dispensing the individual napkins.

The bottom 4 of the cabinet I is provided with a plurality of guide plates 52 as shown in Figure 12. Plates 52 are shaped so as to provide guide channels 53. Plates 52 are preferably afflxed to the bottom 4 of the cabinet If] by means of screws 55. As illustrated in Figures 2 and 6A the side walls l and I6 have integral portions at the lower ends thereof bent over the bottom 28 of the dispenser and slightly spaced therefrom to form channels for slldably receiving flange portions 53 of the cabinet. Each of the dispenser units II is therefore adapted to readily slid in and out of the cabinet in, the flanges 5| being guided by frictional engagement with flanges 53 adjacent the bottom of the cabinet.

When the individual dispenser units are withdrawn from the cabinet provision must be made for locking the dispenser in its outwardly extending position, otherwise the dispenser may fall out of the cabinet when it is fully withdrawn. Locking means are provided as shown 12 wherein a leaf spring 60 is provided adjacent the front end of plate 52. The leaf spring 60 is affixed to the plate 52 by means of a rivet 6|. Each leaf spring 60 is provided with a bent back catch portion 62. The plate 52 is recessed or cut out at 64 beneath the catch portion 62. The bottom 28 of each dispenser is provided with a keeper opening 10 adjacent its rear wall I! as shown in Figure 6A and a struck up portion H. A keeper opening 90 is also provided in the front end of the bottom 28 of the dispenser.

When the dispenser unit is withdrawn from the cabinet 10 in the position A shown in Figure 6, the catch portion 62 of leaf spring 60 will engage the rear edge 15 of keeper opening 10 in the bottom 28 of the dispenser thereby locking the dispenser in its outward position. The leaf spring 60 is provided with a slight protuberance as shown in Figures 7 and 8 which is adapted to coact with the recessed portion 8| in the bottom 28 of the dispenser in order to firmly retain the dispenser in locked position.

When the dispenser is positioned within the cabinet ID as shown in Figure 4 the catch 62 of leaf spring 60 will engage with the edge SI of keeper opening thereby locking the dispenser within the cabinet. When it is desired to remove a dispenser unit from the cabinet it is necessary first to depress the catch portion 62 from engagement with the edge 9| of keeper opening 90 in the bottom of the dispenser whereby the dispenser unit may be slid out of the cabinet, guided outwardly in its travel by means of flanges 5| coacting with flanges 53 in the bottom of the cabinet as previously explained.

Triangularlyfolded napkins are adapted to be positioned within the dispenser, the lower edges being supported and guided by the inwardly bent flange portions l8 and I9 and the upper edges being guided by bent flange portions I and 2 afilxed to the side walls of the dispenser. It is to be understood that the present dispenser construction is not limited to any particular types of napkin folds and that the construction is intended to be adapted for any desired types of napkins, folded sheets or other articles by merely changing the supports therefor.

The dispenser construction herein described provides a very compact and simple unit for properly positioning a stack of napkins as illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawings. The coiled spring 30 automatically adapts itself within the dispenser to exert a constant and uniform force upon the curved lower pocket rear portion 35 of the pusher plate 21 which in turn exerts a uniform pressure upon the stack of napkins within the dispenser. As individual napkins are withdrawn through the opening of the face plate l2 the coiled spring 30 will urge the remainder of the stack of napkins forwardly within the dispenser in order to properly position the next napkin in position for withdrawal. After the in Figure stack of napkins within the dispenser has been depleted, an attendant merely depresses the catch portion 62 of leaf spring 60, thereby releasing the dispenser from locking engagement with the bottom of the cabinet Ill. The dispenser unit can then be withdrawn outwardly in the position indicated by the unit A in Figure 6. The attendant then manually retracts pusher plate 21 to its rearmost position adjacent the rear wall I! of the dispenser as shown in Figure 3. The space within the dispenser can now be readily filled with a fresh supply of napkins as the pusher plate is now in inactivated position by virtue of the latch being in looking engagement with the rear wall ll of the dispenser. The attendant then pushes the dispenser ll within the cabinet It in position B illustrated in Figure 6. When this occurs the portion of latch 40 impinges against the bar as illustrated in Figures 4 and 10. At such moment the latch bar being released from looking engagement permits the spring 30 to exert its pressure against pusher plate 21, which in turn exerts a force against the napkin stack within the dispenser. The dispenser is now in proper condition for dispensing the individual napkins. As each napkin is removed through the front face of the dispenser the stack is pushed forwardly by means of pressure exerted by spring 30. This operation is repeated as often as is necessary depending upon the number of times the stack of napkins within the dispenser is exhausted. It is to be understood that each one of the dispenser units can be withdrawn independently of the other units within the cabinet and the supply of napkins replaced at any time that it is necessary.

It is evident that the present dispenser construction provides a very efficient, effective and simple mechanism which can be operated and refilled very quickly and readily by any untrained attendant in a restaurant, cafeteria and other similar places. This is particularly important during rush hours when napkins are quickly exhausted in the dispensers and it is very important to have a simple mechanism whereby napkins or other articles can be quickly refilled within the dispenser with a minimum amount of effort.

We claim:

1. A dispenser for a stack of articles comprising a container having a rear wall, side walls and a dispensing opening in the front wall, slots in the side walls of said dispenser, a carriage having guide members received in said slots for guiding said carriage in its movement within said container towards the dispensing opening, a pusher plate attached to said carriage for urging the stack of articles in said container towards the dispensing opening, a latch member pivoted on said carriage, and a keeper opening in the rear wall of said container adapted to engage with said latch member for releasably locking said carriage member in retracted position adjacent the rear wall of said container.

said latch member for locking the carriage in retracted rearmost position adjacent the rear wall of said container, said latch member being adapted to be released upon contact with said stop member when the container is positioned within said cabinet in closed position.

3. A dispenser for a stack of articles compris ing in combination, a cabinet comprising a guide plate, an open top container slidably mounted on said guide plate having a dispensing opening in the front wall and a keeper opening in its rear wall, a carriage slidably mounted in said container, a pusher plate afiixed to said carriage, a freely coiled spring urging said pusher plate forwardly within said container towards said dispensing opening, a latch member pivoted to said carriage member, said latch member having a portion adapted to be projected through said keeper opening when said carriage is retracted in its rearmost position adjacent the rear wall of the container when the container is in withdrawn position from said cabinet and a stop member in the rear wall of said cabinet, said container being adapted to be positioned within said cabinet in locked position whereby said latch member will contact said stop member and be released from the keeper opening and permit said freely coiled spring to urge said pusher plate forwardly towards the dispensing opening of said container.

4. A dispenser for a stack of articles comprising a container having a dispensing opening in the front wall, a pusher plate movable in said container for urging a stack of articles in said container towards the dispensing opening, means for guiding and maintaining said pusher plate in upright position during movement, the lower end of .said pusher plate being spaced from the bottom of said container to accommodate a freely coiled spring, and a spring having one end afllxed to the bottom of the container adjacent said dispensing opening and the other end in free coiled condition and in contact with the rear of said pusher plate to urge same forwardly towards said 2. A dispenser for a stack of articles comprlsing in combination a cabinet, a guide plate in said cabinet adapted for slidably supporting an open top container, a stop member integral with said guide plate adjacent the rear wall of said cabinet, a pusher plate movable in said container for urging a stack of articles in said container towards a dispensing opening in said container, a carriage movable in said container carrying said pusher plate, said carriage having pivoted thereto a latch member, and a keeper opening in the rear wall of said container adapted to engage dispensing opening all positions of said tainer.

5. A dispenser for a stack of articles comprising a container having a dispensing opening in its front wall, a carriage guided in slots provided in the side walls of said container to maintain said carriage in upright position during movement, a pusher plate aflixed to said carriage and movable with said carriage in said container for urging the'stack of articles in said container to.- wards the dispensing opening. the lower end of said pusher plate being spaced from the bottom of said container to accommodate a freely coiled with a continuous pressure at pusher plate within said conspring, and a coiled spring having one end fixedly.

retained within said container adjacent the dispensing opening and the other end freely coiled and engaging the rear of said pusher plate for urging said pusher plate towards the dispensing opening with a continuous pressure at all positions of said pusher plate within the receptacle.

6. A dispenser for a stack of articles comprising a container having a dispensing opening in its front wall, a pusher plate movable in said container for urging a stack of articles in said container towards the dispensing opening, means for guiding and maintaining the pusher plate in upright position during movement, the lower end of said pusher plate being provided with a curved pocket portion and spaced from the bottom of said container to accommodate a freely coiled sp in and a freely coiled spring having one end' flxedly retained within said container adjacent the dispensing opening and the other end freely coiled and in contact with the lower rear pocket portion of said pusher plate and disconnected therefrom for urging said pusher plate toward said dispensing opening with a continuous pressure at all positions of said pusher plate within the receptacle.

'7. A dispenser for a stack of articles comprising a container having a dispensing opening in its front wall, a pusher plate movable in said container for urging a stack of articles in said container towards said dispensing opening, means for guiding and maintaining the pusher plate in upright position during movement, the lower end of said pusher plate being spaced from the bottom of said container to accommodate a freely coiled spring, and a spring having one end affixed to the bottom of said receptacle adjacent the dispensing opening and the other end freely coiled upon itself and in frictional contact with the rear of said pusher plate and adapted to wind and unwind upon itself as the pusher plate travels within said container towards said dispensing opening, said spring urging said pusher plate with a continuous force towards said dispensing opening at all positions within the container.

8. A dispenser for a stack of articles comprising a container having a dispensing opening in the front wall, a pusher plate movable in said container having its front face contacting the rear of said stack for urging the stack of articles in said container towards the dispensing opening, means for guiding and maintaining the pusher plate in upright position during movement, a coil spring having one end thereof fixedly retained within the said container adjacent the dispensing opening and the other end freely coiled, said freely coiled end frictionally engaging the rear face of said pusher plate at all positions thereof for urging the pusher plate "towards said dispensing opening with a continuous pressure at all positions of said pusher plate within the re-- ceptacle.

9. A dispenser for a stack of articles comprising a container having a dispensing opening in the front wall, a pusher plate movable in said container having its front face contacting the rear of said stack for urging the stack of articles in said container towards the dispensing opening,

means for guiding and maintaining the pusher plate in upright position during movement, a coil spring having one end thereof fixedly retained within the said container adjacent the dispensing opening and the other end freely coiled, said freely coiled end frictionally engaging the rear face of said pusher plate at all positions thereof for urging the pusher plate towards said dispensing opening with a continuous pressure at all positions of said pusher plate within the receptacle, and means provided on the rear face of said pusher plate for freely retaining and accommodating the freely coiled end of said spring.

10. In a dispensing device, a support adapted to hold a succession of articles to be dispensed, and means for urging said articles toward dis pensing position comprising an elongated spring member normally urged by its resiliency to a spirally coiled condition with a plurality of convolutions and secured at its outer end to said support, the coiled portion of said spring member tending to roll up toward the secured end of the spring member for feeding said articles, and said support having a backing surface for the unwound portion of said spring member, the outer convolution of said spring member presenting an article-impelling surface and increasing in effective radius during the rolling-up travel to provide a limited reduction of the effective impelling force.

11. In a dispensing device, a support adapted to hold a succession of articles to be dispensed, a follower for said articles, and an elongated spring member normally urged by its resiliency to a spirally coiled condition with a plurality of convolutions and secured at its outer end to said support, the coiled portion of said spring member tending to roll up toward the secured end of the spring member and having its outer convolution bearing on said follower to urge said follower in article-feeding direction, and said follower having spaced guide surfaces receiving between them the coiled portion of the spring.

12. In a dispensing device, a support adapted to hold a succession of articles which are to be dispensed and which exert a resistance to dispensing movement, a follower for said articles, and means for urging said articles toward dispensing position comprising an elongated spring member normally urged by its resiliency to a spirally coiled condition with a plurality of convolutions and secured at its outer end to said support, the coiled portion of said spring member tending to roll up toward the secured end of the spring member for feeding said articles, said support having a backing surface for the unwound portion of said spring member, the outer convolution of said spring member presenting an article-impelling surface to bear on said follower and increasing in effective radius during the rolling-up travel to reduce the impelling force, whereby to compensate for the decreasing resistance of said articles as they are removed and to maintain an approximately constant dispensing force on the foremost article.

FRANK L. BROEREN. SAMUEL N. HOPE. 

